Hello guys,

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or followed this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I tried to get it out as soon as I could! the story is starting to finally get more exciting and get deeper. I'll try and update at least one chapter a week.

Thank you and enjoy!

Severus was now hurrying through the passageways and onto his next assignment, his leading issue at hand, Dumbledore.

Severus had been unsympathetic and unforgiving in his conversation with Malfoy, and the boy erupted into tears within seconds. Severus had no doubt that the boy would never use the term 'mud blood' ever again. He hoped this may help with keeping Potter out of more trouble by keeping Draco at bay. Severus couldn't help but have a powerful sense of protection for Potter. What he had seen last night, and today in the great hall had drastically changed his attitude towards the boy.

The boy did not seem to be pampered or to have a high level of self-confidence; traits Severus was anticipating he would surely possess. He was astoundingly like Severus in his first year, all he could do was empathise with the boy, something he had never done with any student before. He felt a sense of remorse for being firm with him in the great hall in front of the third-year boys, but it would not do them both any favours to show any type of favouritism, as the other students would notice.

He felt a strong duty to shield the boy from what he can from this moment forward. He felt he had neglected the boy for the last ten years. Seeing the boy and the clear signs of abuse and neglect he may have been privy to gave him a deep sense of regret for so blindly trusting Dumbledore. This was haunting him the more he thought about it, he noticed the subtle signs, the boy was nervous and fearful, and he was clearly not fed proper meals due to his thin physique.

Severus worried things may have been far worse than he first anticipated, he had been frightened of Severus in the short time they have had together. The boy had pulled away from him out of instinct last night, it didn't look like his first time, he flinched far too much for a child, something they both, unfortunately, had in common at his age. He had only moments before his first class, however, he could not wait till the end of his lessons to speak to the headmaster. Severus was not one to dwell on many things, but he couldn't stop thinking about this.

Severus felt himself reliving memories from his own childhood on his hurried walk to Dumbledore's office. His father, an exemplary case of a violent alcoholic. He knew the fundamentals of what abuse felt like and looked like. He was many times his father's personal punching bag. He knew the feeling to flinch at a grown man, to cower down when he felt a confrontation coming, Harsh words would be flung at him during his father's inebriated crazes. His mother was also not free from his father's wrath. Severus nevertheless escaped most of the abuse. When he would escape with Lily, spending most of his time surrounded by her warm-hearted embrace, it was enough to make his life at home worth it just for the moments he would get with her, in the years before they attended Hogwarts.

Dumbledore swore to him on the night of Lily's death that her son would not go to Petunia, it wasn't a difficult request. Severus was beginning to feel irresponsible for not looking into it further. He couldn't help but see his transgressions, how disappointed Lily would be in him for not watching over her child all these years, instead, he just waited for him to attend Hogwarts and hoped for the best. He tried to use the justification of his own anguish and guilt as a reason for not wanting to pursue the location of the child, the less he knew the better he thought. How mistaken he felt now. His stride picked up as he swiftly made his way up the steps to Dumbledore's office. With each moment he thought about Harry being in Petunia's care, he could only imagine the neglect she would've given Lily's child. Severus never imagined he would develop such care for the boy independently, his feelings were becoming as protective as he was for Lily, a bond he felt he could never have again with anyone. So much about the boy was filled with mystery.

Severus wondered exactly what he was going to say to Dumbledore, he was able to keep his calm at the best of times, his time as a spy gave him this ability. However, as he climbed each step, he was becoming more irate. He wondered if it would be simpler to unleash the years of built-up rage on Dumbledore for breaching his trust, catch him off guard and demand answers. It was going to be challenging to play the part and keep himself neutral knowing Dumbledore would stretch the truth no matter what he said.

This was very much about Lily, it was her child, and his welfare was in question making it an exceptionally personal topic.

Severus reached the office door; he opened it soundlessly without his usual courtesy knock.

"Oh, Severus! How are you feeling after last night's events, everything all right?" Dumbledore asked.

The naive expression on Dumbledore's face was enough for Severus to lose control entirely, it looked like he wasn't going to be calm and composed at all, not today.

Severus rushed his way over to the headmaster's desk; he was now just inches from the headmaster his eyes blazed with anger.

"You lied to me!" he barked.

Dumbledore was taken aback, he stayed upright where he was, he leaned back slightly, clearly startled by the sudden character change in Severus. Dumbledore knew him to be inconspicuous and mostly withdrawn, this was a rare sight, true rage and hostility taking over him.

"Severus please, what are you- "

Severus was quick to cut him off. "What am I talking about? Well, it could be many things couldn't it headmaster? But first, let's start with where Potter was all these years?"

"Severus, we agreed that he be placed in a safe place."

"No Albus, we agreed on him being placed in the Wizarding world, so he could be watched closely and learn of this world before he had to stand a foot in Hogwarts."

Dumbledore calmly placed his hands up in protest, "Severus I know that is what you requested, but the blood wards, it was the only way we could guarantee the highest possible degree of protection for the boy."

Severus took a deep breath, he wanted no more than to act a fool and aim his wand directly at Dumbledore, but even at his level of fury, he knew that to be reckless. Severus moved in even closer their faces now almost touching

"You're wrong Albus, blood wards only form protection from the dark lord himself, what about the harm you have caused him? "Severus said bitterly. "You're so blinded by your own sense of righteousness that you can't see the harm you've caused!" The discomfort is now clearly visible in Severus's expression. "What that boy has been through isn't just on you, I swore to protect him! I'm now responsible for any harm that has come to him, you made a grave mistake sending him to Petunia without informing me, I have no doubt she inflicted some form of abuse on the boy."

Dumbledore was unexpectedly silent, he knew that the Dursleys were not the friendliest of people, but to abuse a child was not something he thought them to be capable of.

"Severus, if the boy were being abused, I would know, I had him observed throughout the years, and no serious reports of abuse were seen."

Severus took a small step back and was assessing each word Dumbledore spoke.

"Serious reports?" Severus questioned; his eyebrow raised.

Dumbledore realised his mistake. "He had clashes with his cousin Severus, that was all, nothing more severe to report than that."

Dumbledore was unmistakably being deceitful, and Severus could sense there was much more to the Potter's upbringing than met the eye.

"Why did you not tell me, Albus?" Severus asked fairly.

Dumbledore now bowed in his seat, signalling for Severus to take a seat opposite him. Severus obliged, knowing he didn't have much time before his first class was to commence, he sought to gain as many answers as possible to his questions.

"Severus, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I could not completely trust you at that moment in time. The decision to house the boy with his blood relatives seemed like the only viable option at the time."

"It was not the only option Albus, I had even offered to- "Severus paused.

Dumbledore lifted his eyes to meet Severus's gaze. "I did not know your true intentions, Severus, if I knew you were going to care for the boy the way you seem to now, it may not have had to come to this."

Dumbledore rose from his desk and began gradually pacing.

Severus had gotten nothing of genuine value from his confrontation with the headmaster. His attempt to acquire more information about Dumbledore's true motivations for why Potter was placed with the Dursleys had failed. he knew he had to get going shortly to begin his first class. He would continue a conversation with Dumbledore once he knew exactly what questions to ask.

Severus said nothing more and headed for the staircase.

"The lighthouse," Dumbledore said.

Severus halted; he had heard Dumbledore correct. Without making it look like he was rattled, Severus calmly turned his head back towards the headmaster without saying a word.

"Lily told me about the lighthouse."

Apprehension was setting in for Severus, he felt his body filling with a wave of hostility. Another secret he had kept from him all this time, but why now would he be bringing this up?

"I don't have time for this Albus," Severus said steadily, as he continued towards the stairs.

"She came to me right after she left you at the lighthouse, the night she died."

Again, Severus stopped.

Dumbledore took this as he was attentive and continued.

"She told me what I already knew, that you had indeed taken the dark mark. I informed her of our arrangement and that you were working for the order as a spy, and she had no need to worry that you were truly a death eater."

Severus had now turned around to face Dumbledore, his eyes filled with disbelief and anguish. He was bewildered, after all these years it haunted Severus that Lily died thinking the worst of him, that he had gone to the dark side. To think Dumbledore had kept this from him was outrageous, to say the least.

"Why wait until today to tell me this?" Severus asked coldly.

"I promised Lily that if the time shall come and she and James didn't make it through the war, and her child survived that I would keep her child safe. I also promised her something else, Severus."

"And that is?"

"That I would keep you protected, and ensure you made it out alive, that was her final wish she bestowed upon me."

Severus had little doubt that Dumbledore was being dishonest about this, he could not have known about the lighthouse if not for Lily that much was true. However, Severus knew there would be must more to Dumbledore's story and he had no time or tolerance to process this new information. he felt drained and was incapable of sharing anything further with the headmaster. Dumbledore saw his discomfort, and without saying a word, Severus soared down the stairs and onwards through the passageways, his mind now racing.

Harry searched the corridors intensely sifting through all the Ravenclaws, he was hoping he would be able to see Hermione before classes started. He trusted her ability and intelligence that she may be able to help him assemble his tie before he was caught by Professor Snape still without it around his neck.

He finally saw her on foot walking in his direction with a mixed group of first-year girls, some Hufflepuff and some Gryffindors.

"Hermione!" He called.

She smiled at him, clearly thrilled. They made their way to each other and quickly discussed their excitement for the start of classes.

"Harry, are you okay? You seem anxious?" Hermione pointed out.

Harry told Hermione about his detention with Snape and how he was not sure what to expect, Hermione's face was filled with horror, her worst fear would include being given detention, especially on her first day.

"Oh, Harry that's horrible, I'm so sorry, that must be devastating."

Harry let out a slight chuckle, he had to admit he didn't take his schooling as seriously as Hermione and his detention didn't quite cause him such devastation. However, he feared more the punishment he would receive from Professor Snape if he wasn't correctly dressed in minutes.

Harry pulled out his Slytherin-coloured tie from his pocket and explained how he had never been taught how to wear a tie, and he asked if Hermione could show him. With desperation in his voice, he was too afraid to ask anyone else, he didn't want this getting around the school that Harry Potter was too hopeless to dress himself. As pleasant as the third-year Slytherins were, he didn't feel it would be a clever move to ask for help with such a median task so quickly.

"Oh Harry, I must say I've never had to tie one before, but I'm sure we can figure it out, follow me."

Knowing classes were starting soon they had to hurry off to the nearest toilets. Hermione was pushed for time, she did her best to arrange Harry's tie, but it was not perfect. It would be sufficient for his first few classes he would just have to hope he didn't see Snape before he could fix it correctly.

"Harry, you do know we have potions first, don't you?" Hermione murmured.

A panic set in for Harry, he was so focused on fixing his tie before his detention tonight that he didn't realise his first class was going to be with Professor Snape.

"Oh no, I thought- "

Hermione cut him off, "We received our updated timetable late last night, due to the low number of first years we will all be taking our classes together for the first few weeks, a few changes happened in the schedule and potions is our first class for the year. At least we will be together, I'm sure Professor Snape won't notice a thing, I promise ill to find a way to fix it during lunch." Hermione gave Harry a reassuring smile.

"Now come on we will be late!" Hermione shouted.

They both dashed from the toilets and headed for the dungeons for their first potions lesson.